The Powers in the Universe Today

Introduction

Welcome to another discussion in our "Christian AnarchySomeone who follows Christ as their only authority—rejecting institutional control over their spiritual life. Today" series. I'm here with Stephen, Ethan, and Sean. Last week, we pulled a topic from our infamous "jar of doom": what are the powers in the universe today? While on the surface, this might sound like a conversation about electricity or atomic power, we're diving into the spiritual powers present in the world.

Spiritual Powers: A Broad Perspective

We haven't extensively researched this topic, hoping instead to keep our conversation authentic and spontaneous. So, if our thoughts seem scattered or underdeveloped, bear with us as we work through them.

Light and Dark Powers

When we talk about powers, are we referring to demonic and angelic forces? Or can we relate these concepts to more fundamental ideas of light and dark forces?

Personally, I view these powers as light and dark—God's spirit as the force of light, and the absence of God as the force of darkness. Some might call this absence of God the devil, but I think it's more accurate to describe it simply as the lack of divine presence.

Theories from the Evangelical Background

Let's reflect on the evangelical perspective, which tends to see power as divided between God and a sinister being like Satan, who governs the universe's dark forces. The challenge with this view is deciding whether one is a preterist or a futurist.

Preterist vs. Futurist:

• If Christ has already returned, then Satan is supposedly confined to the lake of fire, altering the understanding of the dark powers in the universe.
• If Christ has not returned, then Satan remains active, influencing dark forces.

Satan: Author or Proprietor of Evil?

Moving on to a pivotal question: is Satan the author of evil or merely its proprietor? We concluded that Satan might be more of a proprietor. Humans can sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. independently of Satan, as shown by Eve, who desired to sin even before Satan tempted her.

The Origin of Satan

Satan was initially an angel, which implies that something must have tempted him. This raises more questions: was it a force greater than Satan himself, or an inherent flaw?

Conclusion: The Essence of Spiritual Powers

When discussing universal powers, it seems they're distilled into two primary forces: God and the absence of God. Whether this absence is a personification of evil or simply a void left by God's absence remains an open question.

Understanding the Nature of Evil

The Absence of Light and God

The argument that has been made before is one that touches on the fundamental nature of darkness and evil. It is suggested that darkness is not a presence but an absence—specifically, the absence of light. Similarly, the concept of cold is seen not as a distinct entity, but as the absence of heat. Using this logic, one could argue that evil is not something that exists independently, but is instead the absence of God.

Satan's Role in Temptation

Satan is often seen as the main perpetrator of evil within our world, having famously tempted Adam and Eve. This original temptation is viewed as a key moment in the narrative of evil. However, it's crucial to understand that while Satan may have tempted them, it was ultimately their decision to act upon it. This suggests that human actions are what truly cause evil, not merely the temptations themselves.

The Blame Game and Conspiracy Theories

People often look for something or someone to blame for the presence of evil. This mirrors the attraction many have to conspiracy theories, where complex problems are simplified by pointing to a single cause. While it’s easy to imagine evil as a force personified by Satan, this perspective might miss the more nuanced truth that evil is merely the absence of God, a concept that’s more abstract but potentially closer to the truth.

Historical Perspectives and Human Nature

If we adopt certain theological views, such as preterismThe belief that all biblical prophecy—especially “end times”—was fulfilled by 70 A.D. More, questions arise about the presence and influence of evil in the world today. Has Satan been rendered powerless, or does the inherent capability for evil within humans remain unchanged over time? Looking at history, some of humanity's most atrocious acts have occurred within the last century, leading to the hypothesis that while our tools and awareness have evolved, the core potential for evil remains consistent throughout human history.

The Evolution of Perception

The prevalence of certain actions or behaviors, like homosexuality, is often debated within religious contexts as either more common now or simply more visible. Ancient societies, like the Greeks and Romans, were known to practice such behaviors, indicating that what may seem like an increase might just be a shift in how openly these issues are discussed and perceived.

Conclusion: Are We More Evil?

In dialogues with loved ones, it's not uncommon to hear opinions that the world is becoming increasingly evil. However, one must consider whether this is truly the case or if we're simply more aware of the evil due to modern communication and media. While some aspects of society have undeniably evolved, whether for better or worse, the fundamental human condition and its susceptibility to evil likely remain largely unchanged.

Reflections on Culture, Prayer, and Belief

The Evolution of Cultural Practices

In some respects, our society has seen improvements over time. Historically, most cultures practiced slavery, a bleak aspect that is notably absent in today's world. However, the remnants of past ideologies persist in various forms.

The Debate on Prayer in Schools

The topic of prayer in schools often raises questions about the intersection of faith and safety. In my experience within the African-American church, there's a belief that school shootings are more prevalent today because prayer has been removed from schools. To me, this correlation seems unfounded. Simply praying does not inherently prevent violence, yet there is a prevailing notion that adhering to religious practices will shield us from God's wrath. This mindset can be dangerous as it can influence how individuals approach both religion and reality.

The Impact on Policy and Personal Beliefs

Families directly affected by school shootings would understandably struggle to accept that a lack of prayer is the cause of such tragedies. Moreover, this belief intertwines politics and religion, potentially infringing on others' rights. Advocating for mandatory Christian prayer in schools disregards the practices and beliefs of other faiths, thus becoming a contentious issue with significant implications.

Dissecting Spiritual Beliefs

The Workings of Powers and Demons

Within evangelical and other religious contexts, there is often talk of spiritual forces at play, such as Satan and demons. These beliefs can manifest in stories of haunted houses, witches, or even explanations for serial killers as being demon-possessed. However, this perspective could be an attempt to address humanity's complex and troubling nature. Often, it's the misinterpretation of biblical texts and the influencing of individuals' upbringing that perpetuate these views.

Personal Experiences with Spirits

While I am generally logical and reasonable in my faith, I must admit to a personal experience with the supernatural. As a child, I once saw a spirit. In the warm light of the sun, a woman with curly hair and a nightgown appeared to me, her face broad and flat. Despite my rational inclinations, this encounter has shaped my belief in spirits.

It's not easy to speak of such experiences openly, given the tendency to intellectualize the faith. Yet, these personal stories contribute to the broader understanding of how individuals interpret the spiritual realm.

In conclusion, the dialogue about culture, prayer, and spiritual experiences continues to evolve, challenging us to reflect on our beliefs and the ways they influence our lives.

A Personal Tale and Beliefs on Spirits

A Childhood Vision

I once had a vivid vision when I was young. It happened when I watched my sister go back into the bathroom without any fear. My oldest sister then went into the bathroom to get ready for early morning Mormon seminary. I kept this vision to myself and told no one about it.

Twenty-five years later, in my early thirties, I was at my parents' house. We began talking about ghosts and other supernatural topics, and I decided to share this story. My parents were shocked and a bit freaked out. They told me that they had bought the house from an LA County sheriff who had killed his wife in the bathtub right there. He had reportedly pulled the curlers out of her hair before beating and shooting her.

I wasn't aware of this story growing up, and though there's a possibility that I subconsciously heard it as a child, I still vividly remember my vision. I can even draw her face right now and believe that what I saw was real. This experience cemented my belief in spirits.

Understanding Spirits Versus Ghosts

I wasn't afraid of the spirit I saw, but I acknowledge that my experience was subjective. While I believe in spirits, I understand that not everyone does. Denying someone’s personal experience would be arrogant because each person's life is different. However, when it comes to ghosts, I remain skeptical.

I tend to avoid the term "ghost" because it conjures images of beings in sheets trying to scare us. It's a concept I find far-fetched. Although I believe in spirits, the notion of ghosts as popular culture portrays them is not something I subscribe to. It's a matter worth pondering, but for me, it leads to more questions than answers.

Spirits as a Form of Power

The topic of spirits can often lead to discussing the powers people and churches claim exist today. In my mind, a spirit could be considered a type of power. Yet, I have never personally witnessed or experienced anything that confirms the existence of spirits or ghosts. Without tangible evidence, I find it hard to place faith in such things, though I remain open to discussion.

Spirits and Cultural Beliefs

The conversation around spirits can sometimes intersect with discussions on other topics, such as the belief in praying away certain traits or behaviors. For instance, when an evangelical might say we need to pray away "the spirit of being gay," I find myself skeptical. Human nature is complex, and such beliefs seem to oversimplify it.

A humorous memory involves me and my cousin accidentally stumbling upon a gay pride parade in St. Louis. We laughed and joked about it when recounting the story to my grandmother. Her response was that if we kept it up, we might catch "the gay spirit." It was an interesting reflection of cultural beliefs and misconceptions people can hold.

In conclusion, the idea of spirits, ghosts, and their purported powers is an intricate topic that often leads to diverse opinions. Personal experiences and cultural beliefs play significant roles in shaping these views.

Reflections from a YouTube Discussion

Generational Perspectives on Social Issues

My grandmother lives in Georgia, and although you haven't met her, she watches this show. Hi, Grandma! I believe it’s mainly the older generation that holds these traditional views on topics like homosexuality and transgenderism. These subjects weren't openly discussed when they were younger. While they were indeed present, they weren't as visible. The older generation is merely trying to rationalize it within their perspective, often viewing it as something negative.

A Hilarious Theological Encounter

Can I take a moment to share one of the funniest stories from my theological journey? It’s a true story. When I was Mormon, my father-in-law, a towering figure at six foot five or six (he’s an army colonel), was the home teacher to a couple. One day, he received a call that the couple needed help, and he asked me to accompany him.

When we arrived at their house, we saw the woman sitting in the living room chair, claiming to be possessed by multiple spirits. She was switching between different personalities, saying things like, "How are you today? I'm really good. Can I have something to eat, please?" Her husband asked for a priesthood blessing, so my father-in-law stood behind her. For those unfamiliar with Mormon practices, they place their hands on the person's head to cast spirits out or heal them. My father-in-law, however, was holding his hands above her head, not touching it. Curious, I asked him what he was doing, to which he replied, "I'm afraid the goddamn thing's going to jump at me." It was quite a moment!

Conclusion: The Power of God

To wrap things up, there was a discussion on whether there are other powers besides those of God, like angelic powers or anything similar. The consensus for this episode was that the only power in this world is God's power. There might be guardian angels, but ultimately, everything is attributed to God. This is something our audience is interested in, so I’m glad it was brought up.

I'm telling you all, we need to get an organ so whenever Sean starts preaching, you can join in because, brother Ethan, you’ve got the preaching skills too. To conclude, we can say with confidence that God's power is the only power, and that wraps up this episode.

Teaser for Next Week

Does God know everything? Tune in next week on Cat Out to find out!